What is Warm Forming?

Warm Forming is the process of deforming metal heated to a temperature that maximizes the material’s malleability without allowing re-crystallization, grain growth, or metallurgical fracture. The process allows the part to be successfully formed with net shape features and to final tolerance that eliminate secondary machining operations. The temperatures are determined by part material, geometry and final specifications and tolerances.

Warm forming has been done on forming machines for decades, primarily in the aerospace industry because of materials such as titanium. Historically 3-blow 2-die or double stroke (2-die, 2-blow) machines had induction heaters added to them. Today, specialized machines like FORMAX are made with advanced technology designed exactly for warm-formed applications.